Chelsea vs Brentford: Match Preview & predictions
Chelsea vs Brentford: Match Preview & predictions. Another huge Premier League derby beckons, as Stamford Bridge plays host to an all-London affair on Sunday evening as the red-hot Chelsea take on surprise entertainers Brentford.
Chelsea are on a roll under new head coach Enzo Maresca, with their victory at Tottenham last time out lifting them up to second in the Premier League table. The Blues are now just five points adrift league leaders Liverpool, who drew with Fulham on Saturday and could close that down to two points with a win over Brentford.
Maresca’s side haven’t tasted defeat since 30 October, and their unbeaten run in all competitions extended to nine games on Thursday as they downed Astana 3-1 in Kazakhstan in the Europa Conference League.
The hosts are hunting for their first win over their west London rivals since December 2021 on Sunday.
Brentford, despite losing Ivan Toney in the summer, have dazzled in spurts this season and have been superb on home soil. In fact, no team has picked up more home points in the Premier League this season than Thomas Frank’s Bees, but they’ve accumulated a mere point on their travels.
Their road woes mean they sit ninth in the table but within touching distance of the European spots.
Here is how we preview the Premier League clash between Chelsea vs Brentford at Stamford Bridge.
What time does Chelsea vs Brentford kick-off?
Location: London, England
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Date: Sunday 15 December
Kick-off Time: 19:00 GMT / 14:00 ET / 11:00 PT
Referee: Peter Bankes
VAR: Matt Donohue
Chelsea vs Brentford H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Chelsea: 0 wins
Brentford: 3 wins
Draws: 2
Last meeting: Brentford 2-2 Chelsea (2 March 2024) – Premier League
Chelsea team news:
Those who featured in Kazakhstan on Thursday are unlikely to play a role here, with Maresca poised to name a similar XI from last Sunday’s triumph at Tottenham.
Noni Madueke will come in for Pedro Neto, who’s suspended, down the right, while Malo Gusto’s inclusion should force Moises Caicedo into midfield at Romeo Lavia’s expense. Lavia was withdrawn at half-time in N17.
Reece James and Wesley Fofana are both sidelined due to hamstring injuries, while Mykhailo Mudryk is a doubt due to illness.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Brentford
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Colwill, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
Brentford team news:
Frank named an uber-aggressive lineup against Newcastle last weekend but is likely to opt for a more pragmatic XI on Sunday.
The German will likely revert to a back four with Mads Roerslev coming into the side. Mikkel Damsgaard has played an underrated role in Brentford’s success this season and should return to Frank’s team having earned a rest against Newcastle.
The visitors’ injury list remains extensive, and Vitaly Janelt is the latest casualty. The midfielder’s a doubt for Sunday’s game due to a knock. Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey, Mathias Jensen, and Josh Dasilva are sidelined.
Brentford predicted lineup vs Chelsea
Brentford (4-2-3-1): Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Pinnock, Van den Berg; Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter; Wissa.
Chelsea vs Brentford score prediction:
Maresca’s side have shown some frailties at home this season, drawing to both Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace after losing on the opening weekend to Manchester City. However, those results currently appear like distant memories.
The Blues have found a majestic groove and are well in the title conversation. When you’ve got Cole Palmer in your side, you’re never out of a contest.
The hosts are facing an expansive Brentford who’ve often been caught cold on the road this season. A single point from seven Premier League away games is a woeful return – the joint-worst record in the division. While their recent results against Chelsea should embolden Frank’s side, it’s hard to envisage anything but a home win.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Brentford
